"People We Meet on Vacation" Book vs Netflix Movie: Which One Is Better?

There’s something both exciting and slightly nerve-wracking about hearing that a book you love is being turned into a Netflix movie. On one hand, you finally get to see the characters and places you’ve only imagined. On the other hand, there’s always that lingering fear: 

What if they change everything that made it special?

That’s exactly the situation with People We Meet on Vacation, Emily Henry’s beloved romance, and its Netflix screen adaptation. If you’ve read the book and aren’t sure whether the Netflix movie is worth watching, or if you’re tempted to watch the movie but wondering if you should read the book first, this People We Meet on Vacation book vs movie comparison is for you.

I’ll keep things lightly spoilery, focus on what really matters, and help you decide which version might be the better starting point.

A Quick Look at the Story (No Heavy Spoilers)

At its core, People We Meet on Vacation is about friendship, timing, and the quiet kind of love that builds over the years. Poppy and Alex are complete opposites who form an unlikely bond and spend a decade taking one summer trip together, until something happens that changes everything.

Both the book and the movie follow this same premise, but how the story is told makes a huge difference in how it feels.

Timeline & Structure: One of the Biggest Differences

One of the things Emily Henry does incredibly well in the book is playing with time. The story moves back and forth between past trips and the present, slowly revealing how Poppy and Alex went from best friends to estranged and emotionally complicated.

In the book, this structure feels intentional and emotional. Each timeline shift adds depth and meaning, and by the time you reach the bigger moments, they feel earned.

The new Netflix movie keeps a similar idea but simplifies it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; movies have time limits, but some emotional buildup is lost in the process. Certain moments that felt huge on the page pass by quickly on screen, making the story feel more like a traditional rom-com than a slow-burn love story.

If you love layered storytelling and emotional tension, the book handles the timeline better.

Writing vs Visual Storytelling

This is where the comparison gets really interesting.

The Book

Emily Henry’s writing is warm, witty, and emotionally sharp. A lot of what makes People We Meet on Vacation special lives in the inner thoughts of the characters, especially Poppy’s. The book allows you to fully understand why these two people struggle to admit what they feel and why timing matters so much.

This emotional interiority is nearly impossible to fully translate to film, and it’s one of the main reasons I personally preferred the book.

The Netflix Movie

That said, the movie absolutely shines in its visual storytelling. The cinematography and coloring are stunning. Every location feels intentional, and the overall aesthetic gives the film a polished, high-quality feel.

I’ve seen people online compare certain scenes and filming choices to classic rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally (1989), and I completely understand why. The movie captures that nostalgic, cozy rom-com energy incredibly well, and honestly, it’s one of the best rom-coms I’ve watched in a while.

Casting & Chemistry: A Major Win for the Movie

When the casting for People We Meet on Vacation was announced, I was genuinely impressed. Both actors (Emily Bader and Tom Blyth) felt like a great choice, and thankfully, they delivered.

Their chemistry is strong, natural, and believable. They carry the emotional weight of the story beautifully, and even when the script strays from the book, their performances keep you invested.

If I hadn’t read the book or had no idea this was an adaptation, I truly think I would have been completely in awe of this movie as a standalone rom-com.

Faithfulness to the Book (Where the Movie Falls Short)

This is where my biggest frustration comes in.

I will never fully understand why some book-to-movie adaptations feel the need to change things that don’t need changing. I completely understand that not every scene or character can make it into a movie, but altering important details, locations, or big emotional moments feels unnecessary.

Emily Henry has built an incredibly loyal fanbase. Choosing one of her books to adapt is like working with gold. The story, characters, and emotional beats are already there. In my opinion, People We Meet on Vacation didn’t need major changes; it needed careful translation.

The movie is good. Sometimes even great. But it could have been exceptional if it had stayed more faithful to the book.

So… Should You Read the Book or Watch the Movie First?

Here’s my honest, reader-focused take:

• If you love emotional depth, internal monologues, and slow-burn romance → read the book first.
• If you want a visually beautiful, well-acted rom-com → the movie absolutely works on its own.
• If you do both → read first, then watch. The book adds emotional context that makes the movie even more enjoyable.

This is usually how I feel about adaptations (the last one I watched was The Life List), and once again, the book won my heart, but the movie still deserves credit.

Where to Go Next

If you’re leaning toward reading first, you can find the book on Amazon here (affiliate link).

And if you want a deeper dive into the story itself, you can also check out my full book review on the blog here.

Final Thoughts: Book vs Movie

At the end of the day, this isn’t a battle where one completely destroys the other. The book is richer, deeper, and more emotionally satisfying, while the movie is polished, charming, and beautifully made.

Both versions have something to offer; it just depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.

Now I’d love to hear from you:

Did you read the book, watch the movie, or do both? Which one worked better for you, and why? 💬✨